Tottenham Transfer Rumors: Julio Cesar In, Giovani dos Santos Out?

Giovani dos Santos' agent, Vicente Monte, seems about as keen as can be on getting the 23-year-old Mexican forward out of White Hart Lane.

His latest tactic? Telling Italian media that there's "a number of teams interested" in Serie A.

According to ESPN.com, Monte was quoted by Andalucian paper Estadio Deportivo as telling Mexican media that Sevilla and Inter Milan were among a number of clubs interested in signing him:

"Spurs are looking to find a club which would make all three parties happy. There are a number of teams interested. Teams from Italy and Spain are the closest [to sealing a deal]. Inter Milan are one of the interested clubs, and Sevilla are another."

Is that the only media outlet Monte's been talking with about dos Santos? Hardly.

Goal.com adds a little more to the story, adding that Monte told calciomercato.com:

"The truth is that Gio has always wanted to play in La Liga or Serie A so that's what we're aiming for. A swap deal with Julio Cesar? Often journalists talk without knowing the truth, but that is not the case here. Inter is one of the possibilities, I can't deny that."

This guy's slicker than a barrel of oil.

So, if we piece together Monte's quotes from the last 24 hours, Tottenham really wants to ship dos Santos out to Italy or Spain, but the greater possibility is Inter Milan, because a "swap deal" with goalkeeper Julio Cesar is what Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and new manager Andre Villas-Boas are really gunning after.

I still don't know why dos Santos isn't being given a fair shake to break into the first team at White Hart Lane. He recently won a gold medal for Mexico at this summer's Olympic Games and has significant experience with Barcelona, Ipswich Town and Galatasaray.

But if it gets Tottenham a replacement for 41-year-old 'keeper Brad Friedel in 32-year-old Julio Cesar, it seems that—and cashing in a couple million pounds in the process—could be the driving motivation.

Cesar has been a first-rate player between the posts since coming to Inter in 2005. He's earned over 200 league appearances, gained significant Champions League experience and started during Brazil's 2010 World Cup campaign.